Regional volleyball academy to be set up in Azerbaijan
By Nigar Orujova
A regional volleyball academy will be established in Azerbaijan, President of the European Volleyball Confederation (CEV) Andre Meyer said at a press conference in Baku on August 16.
The press conference was dedicated to the inaugural European Summer Games, which will be held in Baku in 2015, and the establishment of the Regional Volleyball Academy in Azerbaijan.
The event was attended by Andre Meyer, European Volleyball Confederation Vice President Jan Hronek, Vice President of the Azerbaijan Volleyball Federation (AVF) Faig Garayev and AVF General Secretary Elshan Ismayilov.
Meyer said the Academy will cover neighboring countries as well.
"Its creation in Azerbaijan started two years ago. Technical workshops will be organized for coaches and statisticians, for the development of volleyball," he said.
The International Volleyball Federation will provide specialists to hold different workshops for more productive work on staff training.
According to Meyer, along with Azerbaijan such academies will operate in the UK, Italy, Northern and Central European countries.
"International and European volleyball federations will render financial support to these academies," he said.
He said the Academy will start operating in Baku in the near future.
Meyer said an agreement on organizational issues related to volleyball at the European Games was signed between Azerbaijan's National Olympic Committee (NOC), Youth and Sport Ministry, AVF and CEV.
Speaking about the first European Games, Meyer said, "The Baku Crystal Hall arena was not originally built as a sports facility, and efforts should be made to turn the complex into an arena for volleyball."
He also said twelve men's and women's teams will be participating at the European Games based on rankings as of January 1, 2015. However, this does not refer to Azerbaijan, which will act as organizer. Also, thirty-two teams will vie in the beach volleyball competition.